Alexander's reeds

[fusionjazzmadman]

Are these reeds as good as they seem to be. Are all reeds in the box playable, or are they no better than ordinary reeds? Please help me out I don't want to waste money on expensive reeds if they're not any better than the average ones.

[Hurling Frootmig]

I've had good success with them. Very playable. It is recommended that you soak them a good 15 minutes the first few times of use. Probably some of the best quality reeds I've played.

[max]

This tends to be a very polarizing discussion around here - some people swear by them, some swear at them.

I personally love them; I think they're simply the best reeds I've ever played.

The only way you're going to know if you like them or not is to buy some and try them.

[bohosheets]

I think i like them, but they don't seem to like me. And yes, I wine and dine them just like it says in the instructions. However, I must say, on that third and fourth date they do play mighty fine. After that, they just seem to go psycho and then we have a big fight and break up. IMHO, they have a b*tchy high maintenance personality. But they can be smokin hot when they want to be.

[Roger Aldridge]

I agree with Max. The only way to know how they work for you is to get several boxes, follow Tom Alexander's preparation & break in instructions (described on a sheet included with the reeds), and give them a test drive. These are excellent reeds. However, as Max indicated some people love them and others don't.

It's my personal feeling that several things are involved:

1. Many of us have gotten used to reeds made with lesser quality reed cane; thus, one might encounter some differences when playing on a reed made with high quality cane. One thing I've noticed is the the Alexander reed cane is denser than other reeds that I've used.

2. Alexander reeds are flat. Many other reed brands are not. This is because a great many mass-produced mouthpieces are made with tables that aren't flat. Thus, it's possible that one might encounter problems if an Alexander reed is used on a mouthpiece with a table or side rails that are out of wack. I had this problem myself in trying out a current production mouthpiece (which will remain nameless) with an Alexander reed. Some folks jump to the conclusion that the problem is with the reed. But, in reality it's really the mouthpiece.

3. It's possible that some guys may blame the reed for things that are problematic with their embouchure or playing. This is a really interesting thing! That is, some players get good results with a particular reed and then report problems with Alexanders. I, personally, have very rarely had a problem with an Alexander reed. Thus, it's hard to know exactly what is going on with individual players.

4. Cane reeds are not perfect. Their characteristics vary from season to season and box to box. I've found Alexanders to be very good as far as consistancy. But, sometimes I've had some individual reeds or even boxes that there not quite as good as what I've come to expect. This is part of the reality of using a cane reed. Thus, it's important to try at least a couple of boxes whenever you try out a new brand of reed.

Anyway, these are some of the thoughts that come to mind about this. One thing to check out is WHICH type of Alexander reed might work best for you. There are three kinds: Superial, DC, and Classique. Tom's web site at www.superial.com has information about the three types of reeds. For what I'm looking for in a reed Classique really does it for me.

[Dr G]

I just rediscovered Alexander Superial DC's this week. I was lamenting that I had let all the reeds I have in rotation go dead at the same time and got out my Box o' Reeds (a sealed box about the size of a shoe box). Behold! There were two tins of DC's that I'd tried a couple years ago and then left for my preferred (at the time) RJS 3S.

Well, I soaked a couple DC 3's and tried them out on my JVW/Morgan. Wow, it's obvious that I had not tried those reeds on this mouthpiece before. "Wonderful" just starts to describe it. I'm ordering more. Today.

Maybe it's not such a good thing to grow complacent with your setup just because it works. I've been so satisfied the last couple years with my setup that I stopped trying anything else.

On the other hand, maybe it's a better thing to just keep your reeds fresh! :roll:

[max]

To add another variable to the equation, you might also want to try the different flavors on all your horns - I use Superials on tenor and DCs on soprano.

[fusionjazzmadman]

Well, now i've bought a box of reeds and find them to be a little dull sounding, i'm thinking it may be because the reeds are a little too wide for my mouthpiece, it's a otto link metall. Could this be it? I'm in no way experienced in reedshaving but could you give me any help i would be gratefull.

[max]

Which "flavor" and strength did you go with?

(BTW, I play them on a metal Link and they fit just fine...)

[fusionjazzmadman]

It's regular alexanders strength 2.5. Are you using a new or old link, i've seen that the older links are wider than my new one.

[singlereed]

I couldn't get on with them at all. I bought a box of alto Superial DC 2.5 and I found they initially played well, then 'howled' uncontrollably. I was impressed that Tom Alexander saw my post here and helpfully contacted me direct with some comments and ideas, but it came down to trying another cut/strength. The strength and cut I bought was supposedly similar to other types I have used and I was not prepared to buy another box in the hope they might suit me. This is a premium product obviously backed by people who believe in them, butthere are other makes I use and I know they will work for me.

[max]

Sorry fusionjazzmadman - I just saw your question now. Yes, it's an older Link.

FWIW, experimenting with the cuts/strengths was -- to me -- well worth the money it took to buy a few boxes - I had a good first experience, and I wasn't happy with what I had been using. Like everything else, it's very personal, so what works for me might not work for you...

[kennyj]

Absolutely love the Alexanders. I've become sortof an evangelist for these reeds in these parts. I could not get a reliable steady supply, so I talked my local repair guy to become a dealer, and I bought most of the initial order! Finally after 2 years, I've started to use up my 20 boxes each of clarinet, alto, tenor, bari and soprano. They are wonderful, well sounding, well playing reeds, very consistent quality, and are probably the best crafted reed on the market, in my opinion. I use the standard yellow box superials, and am a happy man.

ii-V-I
kenny j

[colibri]

I like the superials with my Morgan 8M (I was using Javas before switching). The sound is centered and bright, but not edgy. Low note pops and palm key/altissimo speaks clearly. I tried some DC reeds but didn't like the high end. I've been emailing Tom about this problem and he's been helpful.

[HonkBopSax]

I just got turned on to these reeds a month or so ago, and can't believe how great they are. I bought a tin of DC 3's and Superial 3's. Superials were a little bright, but the DC 3's really clicked for me. I follow Tom's break in procedure, and all 5 in the tin play incredibly. I hung with another sax player this morning and he was talking about problems that he'd been having with reeds - gave him a DC3, he soaked it in his mouth for a minute, and was blown away by it. I highly recommend them!

[chrisr]

Hey colibri, what strength of Superials are you using on your 8M?

[colibri]

I used #3.5

[milan]

I couldn't get on with them at all. I bought a box of alto Superial DC 2.5 and I found they initially played well, then 'howled' uncontrollably.

I had the exact same problem! They were fairly sweet for a very brief period, followed by nasty, screeching and wailing. I tried both regular and DC's and experienced the same issue. Incidentally, I've never experienced this with any other reed.